Closure controller

ABSTRACT

An awning-type window is hinged at its upper edge to a support structure adjacent an opening. A closure controller is provided to control the opening and closing of the window and to latch the window in both the open and closed positions. The closure controller comprises an overcenter toggle linkage including a pair of U-shaped rods having their open ends facing each other. One end of each rod is journaled in a cylindrical sleeve mounted on each of the window and the support structure and their opposite ends are coaxially journaled in a cylindrical sleeve comprising a handle. In the closed position of the window, the handle is located overcenter below a line through the axes of the other pivots with the links internested. To open the window, the handle is rotated upwardly and outwardly to a window-extended position wherein the handle again is overcenter. A stop tab mounted integrally with the window pivot engages the bottom leg of that link to limit the overcenter movement.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Le0J.L0renz Farmington, Mich. [2]] Appl. No. 86,244 [22] Filed Nov. 2, 1970 [45] Patented Jan. 11, 1972 [73] Assignee Massey-Ferguson Inc.

Detroit, Mich.

[ 54] CLOSURE CONTROLLER 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

Primary Examiner-William F. ODea Assistant Examiner-F. D. Shoemaker Allorney-Gerhardt, Greenlee & Farris ABSTRACT: An awning-type window is hinged at its upper edge to a support structure adjacent an opening. A closure controller is provided to control the opening and closing of the window and to latch the window in both the open and closed positions. The closure controller comprises an overcenter toggle linkage including a pair of U-shaped rods having their open ends facing each other. One end of each rod is journaled in a cylindrical sleeve mounted on each of the window and the support structure and their opposite ends are coaxially journaled in a cylindrical sleeve comprising a handle. In the closed position of the window, the handle is located overcenter below a line through the axes of the other pivots with the links internested. To open the window, the handle is rotated upwardly and outwardly to a window-extended position wherein the handle again is overcenter. A stop tab mounted integrally with the window pivot engages the bottom leg of that link to limit the overcenter movement.

PATENTEDJANI 1 I972 3,833,316

IIII JIIIIIIIIIIIII4 INVENTOR. 150 J LOAE/VZ 3(9- 4 Hm wwwqw ATTORNEYS.

CLOSURE CONTROLLER This invention relates generally to closures and more specifically to an overcenter toggle linkage which comprises a closure controller for regulating the opening and closing movement of a closure and latching the closure in each of these positions.

A vast number of closure operators and controllers have been developed over the years for use with awning-type windows. Some of these take the form of a scissors mechanism controlled by a crank, an extendible slide and pin arrangement, and an overcenter linkage. In all of these operators, a great number of parts are required and their assembly and operation are somewhat complex.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a closure controller which is simple and rugged in construction and effective in operation. It is a further object of this invention to provide a closure controller which will effectively latch the closure in open and closed positions.

In accordance with these objects, this invention consists of a closure controller for a closure which is pivoted to a support for movement between open and closed positions relative to a support opening and has a compressive seal engageable with the support in closed position, characterized by a toggle linkage comprising a first link, a first pivot interconnecting one end of the first link and the closure, a second link, a second pivot interconnecting one end of the second link and the support, a third pivot interconnecting the other ends of the links including a handle portion for moving the third pivot to one side of the support to an overcenter position on one side of a line through the axes of the first and second pivots in the closure-closed position and through an arc about the second pivot to the other side of the support on the other side of said line to another overcenter position on the one side of said line in closure-open position, and stop means on the closure engageable with the first link to limit movement of the third pivot to said overcenter positions and to latch the closure in open and closed positions.

Further objects and features of this invention will become more readily apparent upon reference to the following detailed description of the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tractor having an awningtype rear cab window;

FIG. 2 is a sectioned side elevation of the window showing a closure controller according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of the closure controller shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned plan view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a conventional agricultural tractor is provided with an operator-enclosing cab 12 and has a rear awning-type closure or window 14 pivotally supported adjacent its upper edge at 16 to a rear support or wall 18 of the cab 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the rear wall 18 is supported on a lateral structural member 20. The window 14 includes a peripheral metal frame 22 and a pane of glass 24 secured thereto by a peripheral rubber gasket 26. Along its lower edge, the window 14 includes a compressible rubber seal 28 which, in the closed position of the window as illustrated, is compressed against the support member 20.

To control the opening and closing of window 14 relative to the wall 18, a closure controller 30 is provided. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the closure controller comprises an overcenter toggle linkage including a generally U-shaped first link 32 which is preferably a round section bar having a bottom leg 34, and an upright leg 36 which is attached to a first pivot 38. The pivot 38 comprises a unitary piece of sheet metal having a base portion 40 that is secured by a pair of self-tapping sheet metal screws 42 to the lower edge 44 of the window frame 22. The base 40 extends inwardly of the window 14 to a cylindrical sleeve portion 46 that pivotally engages the leg 36.

Near its inner end, leg 36 has a circular shoulder 48 welded thereto for engagement with one end of the sleeve 46. At the other end leg 36 includes a removable spring clip 50 which engages the opposite end of sleeve 46. Thus the link 32 is held against axial movement but is permitted to pivot relative to the sleeve 46. Pivot 38 further includes an integral stop tab 49 extending from base 40.

A second U-shaped link 52 of similar configuration includes a bottom leg portion 54 and an upright leg 56 which is attached to a second pivot 58. The pivot 58 includes a lower portion 60 which is attached by self-tapping sheet metal screws 62 to the inner upright wall of the support member 20. The bracket 58 extends upwardly to a cylindrical sleeve portion 64 which rotatably receives the leg 56. Adjacent its inner end, leg 56 has welded thereto a circular shoulder 66 which engages one end of sleeve 64. At its other end, leg 56 receives a removable snapring 68 which bears against the other end of tubular portion 64 to enable pivotal movement of the leg 56 relative to sleeve 64, but prevents axial movement thereof.

As best seen in FIG. 4, each of the links 32 and 52 include respective upright legs 68 and 70 which are coaxially received within a cylindrical sleeve comprising a third pivot and handle 72. One end of the pivot 72 is welded at 74 to the leg 70, while the other end of pivot 72 rotatably receives the leg 68 which has a circular shoulder 76 welded thereto to prevent inward axial movement of the leg 68 relative to sleeve 72.

In the solid line position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the window 14 is in its closed and latched position wherein the pivot 72 lies overcenter below a line AA extending between the axes of pivot sleeves 64 and 46, as limited by contact of the leg 34 with the integral stop tab 49. In this position, window 14 cannot be jarred or pried open, because such movement would tend to rotate pivot 72 downwardly about pivot sleeve 64 which is prevented by the aforementioned engagement of leg 34 with stop tab 49. To open the window, the pivot 72 is grasped as a handle and rotated upwardly to swing link 52 and pivot 72 about the pivot sleever 64 to the phantom line position shown in FIG. 2 to swing window 14 outwardly of wall 18. In this position, pivot 72 again lies overcenter below the line B-B extending between the axes of pivot sleeves 64 and 46, with leg 34 again engaging stop tab 49, again preventing accidental closing of window 14. Of course, window closing is effected by reversing the above procedure, i.e. by rotating pivot 72 and link 52 upwardly and inwardly to the solid line positions of FigS. 2 and 3, with seal 28 compressively engaging support 20.

Thus, this invention provides a closure controller having few moving parts which coact to function as a latch in both the open and closed positions of the window, a positioning mechanism for the window, and an integral handle.

While only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications thereof are contemplated within the scope of the following claims:

I claim:

1. A closure controller for a closure which is pivoted to a support for movement between open and closed positions relative to a support opening and has a compressive seal engageable with the support in closed position, characterized by a toggle linkage comprising a first link, a first pivot interconnecting one end of the first link and the closure, a second link, a second pivot interconnecting one end of the second link and the support, a third pivot interconnecting the other ends of the links including a handle portion for moving the third pivot on one side of the support to an overcenter position to one side of a line between the first and second pivots in the closure-closed position and through an are about the second pivot to the other side of said line to another overcenter position to the one side of said line on the other side of the support in closureopen position, and stop means on the closure engageable with the first link to limit movement of the third pivot to said overcenter positions and latch the closure in open and closed positions.

2. A closure controller according to claim 1, characterized by the links each being generally U shaped with their open ends facing each other and their bottom legs spaced and said third pivot handle portion laying between said legs.

3/ A closure controller according to claim 2, characterized by the links being round section rods, and the first and second pivots comprising cylindrical sleeves mounted on the respective closure and support in parallel aligned relation and each receiving an upright leg on the respective one end of the links, the third pivot comprising a cylindrical sleeve coaxially receiving the opposed upright legs on the respective other ends of the links between the bottom legs and serving as the handle portion.

4. A closure controller according to claim 3, characterized by each of the pivots having lock means preventing relative axial movement of the legs relative to the sleeves, the first and second pivot sleeves being immovably fixed to the closure and support, the lock means permitting relative pivotal movement between the sleeves and the one end legs, and the third pivot lock means permitting relative pivotal movement of the sleeve relative to the other end leg of one of the links and preventing relative pivotal movement of the sleeve relative to the other end leg of the other link.

5. A closure controller according to claim 4, characterized by the first and second pivot lock means each comprising a stop fixed to each leg engaging one end of its sleeve and a stop removably attached to the distal end of the leg engaging the other end of its sleeve and confining the sleeve between the stops, and the third pivot' lock means comprising a stop fixed to the leg of the one link engaging the other end of its sleeve and securing means immovably securing one end of said sleeve to the leg of the other link.

6. A closure controller according to claim 2, characterized by the first pivot including an integral stop portion engaging the bottom leg of the first link. 

1. A closure controller for a closure which is pivoted to a support for movement between open and closed positions relative to a support opening and has a compressive seal engageable with the support in closed position, characterized by a toggle linkage comprising a first link, a first pivot interconnecting one end of the first link and the closure, a second link, a second pivot interconnecting one end of the second link and the support, a third pivot interconnecting the other ends of the links including a handle portion for moving the third pivot on one side of the support to an overcenter position to one side of a line between the first and second pivots in the closure-closed position and through an arc about the second pivot to the other side of said line to another overcenter position to the one side of said line on the other side of the support in closure-open position, and stop means on the closure engageable with the first link to limit movement of the third pivot to said overcenter positions and latch the closure in open and closed positions.
 2. A closure controller according to claim 1, characterized by the links each being generally U shaped with their open ends facing each other and their bottom legs spaced and said third pivot handle portion laying between said legs.
 3. A closure controller according to claim 2, characterized by the links being round section rods, and the first and second pivots comprising cylindrical sleeves mounted on the respective closure and support in parallel aligned relation and each receiving an upright leg on the respective one end of the links, the third pivot comprising a cylindrical sleeve coaxially receiving the opposed upright legs on the respective other ends of the links between the bottom legs and serving as the handle portion.
 4. A closure controller according to claim 3, characterized by each of the pivots having lock means preventing relative axial movement of the legs relative to the sleeves, the first and second pivot sleeves being immovably fixed to the closure and support, the lock means permitting relative pivotal movement between the sleeves and the one end legs, and the third pivot lock means permitting relative pivotal movement of the sleeve relative to the other end leg of one of the links and preventing relative pivotal movement of the sleeve relative to the other end leg of the other link.
 5. A closure controller according to claim 4, characterized by the first and second pivot lock means each comprising a stop fixed to each leg engaging one end of its sleeve and a stop removably attached to the distal end of the leg engaging the other end of its sleeve and confining the sleeve between the stops, and the third pivot lock means comprising a stop fixed to the leg of the one link engaging the other end of its sleeve and securing means immovably securing one end of said sleeve to the leg of the other link.
 6. A closure controller according to claim 2, characterized by the first pivot including an integral stop portion engaging the bottom leg of the first link. 